SOCAL Steering Committee

FOUNDER & CHAIR

Akima is the Founder and Chair of the Society of Caribbean Lawyers. Born and raised in Grenada, she is a distinguished UK solicitor-advocate and US litigation attorney with nearly two decades of top-tier legal experience. As one of the few Black female law firm partners in the UK, Akima is passionate about equity, inclusion and pro bono work. Akima recognises the urgent need for advocacy and coalition building on important legal issues affecting the Caribbean region and its diaspora. To that end, her primary pro bono project today focuses on achieving justice for Windrush claimants.

CO-CHAIR

Ivana Javis is a Trinidadian lawyer, holding an LLB from the University of the West Indies, Barbados where she graduated with honours and an LEC from Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad and Tobago. With a passion for promulgating Caribbean culture, Ivana actively devotes time to initiatives and events that celebrate and promote the rich heritage of the Caribbean. She has cultivated a keen interest in foreign policy, geopolitics and international law and outside of her professional life, she is a vocalist who enjoys travelling and theatre.

STUDENT OUTREACH OFFICER

Amaya is a second-year LLB student at the University of Leeds from Bermuda. Before studying law, Amaya completed a BA in Sociology with minors in Global Studies and Marketing at Lehigh University. Amaya is passionate about representation and community engagement. Amaya’s volunteer work reflects a strong commitment to access to justice and youth empowerment, demonstrated through roles supporting legal clinics and delivering law-focused workshops in Leeds schools. As Student Outreach Officer, Amaya aims to connect students with SOCAL’s opportunities, fostering support, representation, and pathways for success within the legal community.

COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER

Ardis is an In-house Data Privacy and AI counsel. She is proud of her Guyanese heritage and enjoys regular trips to the region. She is a keen supporter of Caribbean culture and heritage in the UK particularly increasing visibility in the legal sector.

TREASURER

Dwight Wilson is a Trainee Solicitor at Milberg London LLP, a firm specialising in high profile commercial litigation and competition law cases. Dwight graduated with a first class law degree from the University of Birmingham, most notably attaining 83% in his dissertation on the legal implications of the Windrush Scandal. During his time at the university, Dwight was a founding committee member and secretary of “The Caribbean Union”, a society specifically designed to cater to the needs of the Caribbean community. He aspires to take his impact to the next level by fusing his legal interests and desire to continue connecting those within the Caribbean community through his role on the SOCAL committee.

SPONSORSHIPS OFFICER

Joshua is a British-Jamaican Trainee Patent Attorney based in Manchester, working in intellectual property. He studied Theoretical Physics at the University of Leeds and is currently completing an MSc in Data Analytics and Computer Science at the University of York.

Alongside his current role in IP, Joshua is active in diversity and inclusion work through IP Inclusive’s IP & ME community, supporting ethnic minority professional in the field. As SOCAL’s Sponsorship Officer, he is committed to building partnerships and opportunities for Caribbean-heritage students and lawyers across the UK and the Caribbean.

SPECIAL INTIIATIVES OFFICER

Jamaican-born Malik Mikel is an Intellectual Property and Commercial Lawyer (Solicitor) at Baker McKenzie, where he advises on high-value commercial, cross-border advisory matters, transactions and disputes across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors. Malik studied his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Essex, where he graduated at the top of his cohort and received several academic prizes for outstanding performance. He subsequently pursued a Master of Laws in Taxation at the London School of Economics and Political Science, before later completing an additional Master of Laws in Commercial Legal Practice at BPP Law School. 

As Special Initiatives Officer, Malik intends to spearhead programmes that strengthen professional pathways for Caribbean lawyers, expand SOCAL’s strategic partnerships, and deepen engagement across the UK’s Caribbean legal community while driving initiatives that amplify SOCAL’s influence within the profession and the wider diaspora.

STUDENT OUTREACH OFFICER

Nikeesha is a Trinidadian who came to the UK to pursue her university experience. Currently, she is an LLM Student at King's College London, specialising in International Business Law. Before this, Nikeesha attended the University of Birmingham, where she completed her LLB. I have been appointed a member of the SOCAL Committee, and I aim to work together with the committee to further promote the success of SOCAL.

EVENTS OFFICER

Tatiana Scantlebury is an aspiring legal professional with experience in human rights, immigration, and social justice. Her work focuses on advancing access to justice, empowering young people, and supporting community-led initiatives. She has engaged students, emerging advocates, and diverse communities through mentorship, education, and outreach. She has also led programmes and co-organised conferences and workshops that foster collaboration and meaningful engagement. As a proud Barbadian, she is dedicated to fostering connection and opportunity within the Caribbean diaspora.

Shaboni Bowman is a law student from the island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He holds an LL.B from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and is currently pursuing his Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad & Tobago, where he serves as President of the OECS Jurisdictional Committee.  He is deeply passionate about SOCAL's mission and sees his position as a unique opportunity to strengthen the connections between students and upcoming attorneys across the Caribbean and those based in Europe.

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

Shannakaye is presently gaining Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) according to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) guidelines, aiming to qualify as a solicitor. Born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents and raised in London, Shannakaye offers a unique perspective on engaging SOCAL’s members across multiple social media platforms.

EVENTS OFFICER

Shelaine is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales of Grenadian and Ghanaian heritage. She works in-house at Banijay UK, a leading global television producer, providing legal and business affairs support across television programming, with on-screen credits on several high-profile productions.

With a background in television production for major broadcasters such as the BBC, Shelaine brings a strong creative and commercial perspective to event planning. As Events Officer for the Society of Caribbean Lawyers, she is passionate about delivering engaging, inclusive events that celebrate Caribbean heritage and foster connection, mentorship, and professional development.

PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

Stacee is a qualified UK solicitor, Bermuda barrister and an internationally published writer. She has been featured in various publications including The Guardian and the UK Black History Month Magazine, and she also worked as a COVID-19 Communications Officer for the Bermuda Government, Department of Health. Although she currently lives in London, Stacee was born and raised in Bermuda and she enjoys connecting with fellow islanders.